Methods and Kits for Identifying Autoreactive Lymphocytes in Type 1 Diabetes and Other Autoimmune Disease

Unmet Need
Autoreactive lymphocytes contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases including, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). One of the challenges in studying these populations of lymphocytes, also known as X- cells, is that there are no biomarkers to distinguish them from protective T cells and B cells. This has limited efforts to understand X cells’ contribution to disease and to therapeutically deplete X cells, without weakening protective immune responses as well. Consequently, a method to specifically identify autoreactive lymphocytes would improve efforts to develop diagnostics and therapeutics for diseases caused by autoreactive T or B cells.  
 
Technology Overview
The inventors have identified a unique phenotype of autoreactive lymphocytes. This phenotype is based on the cell surface expression of CD19, CD5, TCR and IgD. The inventors used multi-colored flow cytometry, next generation deep sequencing and binding assays to validate these markers. Importantly, this phenotype can be used to identify autoreactive T or B lymphocytes within a fluid or tissue sample. Once identified, these cells can either be isolated to better understand their effects on autoimmune disease pathogenesis or be used a therapeutic to deplete these cell populations from affected individuals.
 
Stage of Development
The inventors have shown the efficacy of these biomarkers at detecting both human and mouse autoreactive lymphocytes.

Publications
Cell. 2019 May 30;177(6):1583-1599

 

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